As End Time Prophecy Unfolds – Is The church Asleep?

Written By Joanie Stahl

I just finished listening to Troy Anderson’s interview on the “21st Century Church – Asleep At The Wheel”. It was a good, solid interview on his new book, Babylon Code. I found it to be well founded and thorough, using careful interpretation of dynamic Prophetic events. He spoke about David Wilkerson’s death and the interesting, suggestive prophetic meaning of his death. There are different interpretations of where Mystery Babylon is. Both views are compelling. But I have to agree profusely that the Church is “cast into a deep sleep,” at this present time of the end.

Troy mentioned that he sent out a letter to 13,000 pastors about his new book along with other very important findings he felt was necessary to share, in hope that most of them would begin speaking to their congregations. In the interview he mentioned also that it has been a week since he sent out those letters. And so far, not one or two out of the thousands have so far sent him a short reply. Perhaps they still will. And I thought of the saying. “It’s not what’s being said that is being said.” And the reality is, let’s say several get back to him in agreement, while the rest do not get back to them but “secretly” agree with him. I think there are some pastors out there scattered about that teach prophecy. I know of a few. But they are very few and far between.

The reason they will not touch upon prophecy is they will clear out their churches. “For they love the praises of men rather than the praises of God.” I tend to look at both sides of the church coin. There are people that know much about end time events and prophecies. These are a small percentage in relation to the widespread thin version of Christianity.

They will not push the envelope with their pastors because they know well that they will be rejected, labeled and congregationally penalized. They do not want to risk it. So they believe silently and keep it to themselves.

The rest who know about it, only choose to know it as a piece of literature that has, according to them and their pastors, limitless interpretations and feel that it is in the best interest of the Body of Christ not to get them involved with it. So they neglect the purpose of prophecy. And of all the times in Church History when they need, no must know it, they are kept back from it.

I do appreciate what Troy’s and Paul McGuire’s initiative is. But the Christian masses choose not to listen to it. And because they know really nothing about it, reject it as a fearful, negative thing. So they remain in the mindset of “Ignorance is bliss,” in the interest of comfort and acceptance.

I was going to a church some years ago. I was good friends with the pastor and his family I went there for 13 years. Totally involved. I had tons of conversations with the pastor, and any time I brought up even a minuscule aspect of prophecy, he would get agitated and frustrated with me.And believe me, it was hardly ever knowing his responses. He was teaching one year the entire book of Matthew. I couldn’t wait until he got to chapter 24. And when that Sunday finally came, he said to everyone, “Okay everyone open up your Bibles to chapter 25.” Later on I asked him why he skipped it. He said, “Look, I am Calvary trained. I do not get into all that prophecy stuff like you. I am not called to do that. I am only to preach the Gospel that’s it!”

Not long after that I had a dream about his church.

In my dream I walked into the back of the church. It had already begun and the pastor was up there preaching. When I looked at all the seats of where the people would be sitting, all I saw on every seat were potted plants. I took a good look at all the potted plants and they were weak and anemic looking.

When I woke up the Lord gave me an immediate interpretation. He said, “the potted plants that you saw are the people. They are never allowed to be taken out of their seedling beds. They never get a chance to grow. They are kept by the pastor to remain in their pots where they will stay in a stunted way. They are never allowed to be taken out of their pots and planted in order to grow and bear much fruit.”

I understood the power of that vision. That the responsibility is on the pastor to take care of the flock in degrees of their growth. There is a malformity in the Children of God who take what the pastors word as that of divine oracles of God not to be questioned. Isaiah says that we “are thetrees of righteousness, a planting of the Lord that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3.We are called, “to bear much fruit unto the Father that He would be glorified.”John 15:8. The little plants I saw in the pots were weak looking. Not strong looking plants. You know how certain house plants look that never get the beautiful effects of fresh air and sunshine. They are anemic looking. That is how these plants looked. And the pastor keeps them that way in order to control them for his “paid speaker” job and ego.This may sound like a harsh word. However, it is true in the greater percentage of churches abroad.

We are to consider the parable of the sower. We are sowers. All of us that are called by His glorious name.. That is our job and “reasonable service.” Our great joy that comes naturally that is an outspring of healthy christian growth into “the full measure of the stature of Jesus Christ.” And that is the aim. That is God’s aim. Maturity. I believe this. We sow, and wherever the seeds land are where they land. And I am encouraged by all these interviews. There are a lot of silent masses that are listening to all of these interviews and we will never hear from them. “Paul plants, Apollos waters, but God gives the increase.” 1 Corinthians 3:6. And I feel that these that we will never know or hear from are those that the seeds are falling on good earth that will bear much fruit. And that is what the Lord is doing. I just know it.

I also believe that as time marches on and things begin to irrevocably disintegrate, people will begin to change their hearts and minds on their own. They will have to. And I have faith that God is using these terrifying things happening in the world and in our nation to shake them down. Remember He said once again He would shake all things. Hebrews 12:25-29. I take it that when He says ALL things, to literally mean ALL things, and that includes people. I have this position at this point. And that is, Just wait. Wait for the Lord to do His bidding regarding those that are fast asleep and those that are resistant to the truth of the hour we are living in. He said, “If I, even if I be lifted up will draw all men to myself.” John 12:32.

I believe as time closes in, we are going to see the Lord demonstrate His power in ways that are beyond anything that we have ever done, and that includes all those through the Church Age. For He is great and He is coming again, and knows all things. And his intention is met out in this verse, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.” That is why He must shake ALL things. To arouse them out of the deep sleep they are in, in order that they will turn to Him with “all their hearts, minds, souls and strength. He knows what He must do because the deception is so powerful, the church so shattered and divided.